Problem T-Rex/Dragon CAM

[djeni]

Hi,
I have a hardware problem with my T-Rex CAM.Can you help me to find out scheme of T-Rex/Dragon CAM?
Best regards Djeni

[Mickha]

Is it a hardware problem or a bootloader problem?
If it's a hardware problem then it is unlikely you will be able to repair it yourself as I don't think any technical details have been released and are unlikely to be released.
If it is a bootloader problem, which is quite common, you can repair that using a Cas 3 or send it to van hoof for repair.

[djeni]

Thanks a lot for your reply Mickha.
Yes, I am sure it is hardware problem and that is the reason to sent this mail looking for scheme.
BRGDS Djeni

[Mickha]

If the cam is not recognised in the receiver, or Cas 3, then it is more than likely the bootloader that has gone.
If it is a hardware fault then it probably isn't worth repairing.
You can find details of how to repair the bootloader, using your Cas 3, on the duolabs website.
It does involve taking your cam apart and soldering a few wires from the Cas 3 to your Cam.

[Dougpug]

Hi there, I'm having problems with the Cas3, using Dragon Cam.

In software window I am instucted to ' insert dummy card into receiver'.

0% is shown in the small loading panel, this soon disappears.

This is shortly followed by a small window telling me 'USB read communication problem 20000015 Timeout expired A'

I have never had any problems like this. Tried on Cas 8.4 and 8.5a, OS Vista.

Has anybody had this before? Thanks and hope you can help.

[Mickha]

This is quite a common error message but not of much use for diagnosing the problem.
The first thing you need to check is the Cas 3 pins, they are quite easily bent and so the cam doesn't make a clean contact.
Remove the blue top cover from your Cas 3, it is quite easy to do as it is only held in place with one screw.
Check for obvious damage to the pins.
Check the rear of your cam to see if the holes are clear.
Check that the ribbon cable is correctly connected to your Cas 3 and Dummy Card, take the connections out and re-insert them.
Gently clean the contacts on your dummy card.
Insert the Cam carefully into the Cas 3, with the top removed, so that you can see it is fully inserted.
Insert the dummy card and try again.
Please post back if the problem persists.

[Dougpug]

Tried what you suggested Mickha, still no luck.
The 2 green lights come on when the Cas3 is first connected but when I start the update they go off, only the red is on and the software window 'jumps' after a few seconds and the Vista loading icon is displayed. This loading icon (the rotating circle) just goes on til I stop it.

[Mickha]

If the Dummy Card is not inserted correctly, or not being recognised, then the Dragon Cam software goes into a loop, with the message please check if Dummy Card is inserted in the Dragon Cam and Initialising CI Module.
Is this what you are getting?
Try removing and re-inserting the Dummy Card a few times to see if it is recognised.
As you state you have never had any problems like this before I assume you've updated your cam before using the Dummy Card without a problem.
When did this problem start?
Was it after upgrading to 8.5a?
Check the ribbon cable, connected to your Dummy card and Cas 3 is fully inserted.
An easier way to check is by using the Common Interface utility.
On starting you Cas software click on the Utilities tab and Common Interface Host, it should read your Cam and predator version.
Check that your cam is still recognised in your receiver, to rule out a bootloader failure.
The last thing you can try is unplugging your Cas 3, removing the software, re-installing 8.5a and re-connecting the Cas 3.
Please keep us updated with your progress.

[Dougpug]

Having no luck with this at all.
Problem started when trying to load file for first time with 8.5a
The message displayed in the the software window is:

'Please insert dragon cam with dummy into the receiver'

I have checked ribbon cable, etc, all seems ok there, no damaged pins. Cleaned contacts, dummy card in and out.

When I'm in the C I host the message in the window is 'CI module is not installed'

All this happens with 8.4 also.

How does that sound to you, Mickha?

[Mickha]

That error message desn't sound correct, the Cas software should not tell you to insert the cam in your receiver.
When you return your Cam to your receiver is the Cam recognised and can you enter the menu?
What was the last Predator file that was loaded onto your Cam?
You could try doing a system restore on your computer, Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, System Restore to a point before you updated to CIS 8.5a, but the problem seems to point to a problem with your Dummy Loader Card.
When you look at your Dummy Card can you see any obvious signs of damage?
Can you try your Cas 3 on another computer, to check if the Dragon Cam can be programmed?
The only real way to track down the problem is by trying everything atep by step, starting with checking that your Cam is still recognised in the receiver.
Then trying your Cas programmer on another computer/laptop.
Then if it is still having problems you have to check the Cas hardware, if possible, by switching components, ribbon cable, dumy card and finally the Cas programmer itself to discover where the problem lies.
Of course to do this you need to know someone who also has a Cas 3 programmer.
Usually the problem with the dummy card is from first time users who have either inserted the dummy card upside down or have not inserted it far enough, as you are experienced in using the Cas programmer I have ruled this out.
Please keep us updated with your progress and if you can't get it to work a cheap option would be to use a Dragon Loader Card, as the Cas 3 can also program cards.

[Dougpug]

I left it alone for a couple of days.

I then re-installed Cas 8.5a, cleaned the contacts etc again and loaded the latest file successfully!

When I first used the Cas3 last year I had a problem with Vista which resolved itself.
Do you think there was a conflict in Vista this time?
I use an Advent laptop(this is the model C*rrys say there is absolutely no problem with. 00's disagree).
Have you heard of anybody else having Vista/Cas3 problems?
Maybe I should clean the thing a bit more often!
Anyway, thanks for your help Mickha

[Mickha]

I'm running Vista Home Premium and there is no problem with the latest CIS 8.5a software, even the annoying message, when you close down the software, seems to have been fixed.